Richard Mikuls RIP

I was told tonight of the death of great guitarist & singer songwriter Richard Mikuls who I got to know through Peter Tork and the Shoe Suede Blues Band who i only say a few weeks ago in Bimingham. He was a really nice guy  - only met him twice - we had a brief chat in Dudley the other week and I gave him a CD. 

songs slot opening for Michael Chapman

Haven't doen a solo songs gig ina  while- was determined to do some new stuff. 2 fans of Peter Tork came all the way from Walsall and London to see me. Just before I went on they told me of Richard Mikuls death (from Peter's band) - Shok me I must ay - so opened with Carousel which I dedicated to Richard. I moved on to Finally which is kinda new - then went back to safety with Lifespell, Alien Slald Abduction, Bobby Caseys, and played my new song I Have Seen The Future which I;d made a couple of changes to in the afternoon. I wanted to play my new arrangement of Sunrise but ran out of time - don't like playing over my time when I;m playing support.

Michael Chapman was a fine guitarist  he goes right back to the 60s. Kindof Leonard Cohen voice with fancy fingerpicking guitar & instrumentals. Not really my bag but had nice chat with him at the end.
I sold 2 CDs Songs for Dreamers and a Storming.

I got the new album by Tape today Luminaria - very mellow and tasty as only they can do.
http://www.myspace.com/tapesthlm

recording sort of / Cactus Cafe solo/ Circus Maximus

Been finding it hard to get back dwon to recording - Finally today I did set something down - then midid just vanished from the new keyboard, then there was a crash - then I had a lie down. Well - I;ve cleared the decks and started. Had some fun with the Virus and got my head thinking - having some ideas. Itls like revision for exams - i know I'll enjoy it once I start but procrastination rules. I seem to be quite sleepy these days - perhaps the muggy nights aren't giving me quality sleep.

In evening did Cactus Cafe jazz gig solo - did a few songs I;ve not doen in a while - Starting Over, Dancing Shoes, Sunrise. Was mostly kin laid back bossa mood.

I ordered a batch of cheap CDs from all over the world a while ago hoping they would arrive weeks apart. Unfortunately they;'ve arrived within days. Barely had I had time to recover from the dizzy making shoegaze of Keith Canisius (who replied to my comment onmyspace - cool), then chilled to the lowfi noodling of Tape when what should arrive than the latest album from prog metal band Circus Maximus - "Isolate" - I'd enjoyed their 1st album but I've been blown away with this one. Prog Metal with a touch of AOR - harmonies and prodigious playing. prog enough to be interesting but not so wiggly as to annoy, metal enough to rock but AOR enough for the odd catchy cheesy chorus to make earworms in your head. Quite tiring (I don;t have much prog or metal) but glorious in the car. I love the production - plus now and then they play my kind of chords.
http://www.myspace.com/officialcm
http://www.circusmaximussite.com/